Senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have categorically denied speculation about an in-house change in Balochistan’s provincial government, reaffirming their full support for Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The coordinated denial, issued on Thursday, comes amid growing political chatter regarding the stability of the Bugti-led coalition setup.
Speaking to reporters at the Balochistan Provincial Assembly—where lawmakers had gathered for an in-camera briefing on the province’s security situation—PML-N Parliamentary Leader and Provincial Minister Saleem Ahmed Khosa dismissed circulating rumours about the chief minister’s removal. Khosa said he had spoken directly with the PML-N leadership, who confirmed that there is no discussion, planning, or consideration of any change in the province’s top office.
Khosa acknowledged hearing political speculation about a supposed power-sharing deal between the PML-N and PPP, under which the chief ministerial slot would rotate every two and a half years. However, he clarified that this was merely political hearsay and not an agenda under consideration by either party’s senior leadership.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to stability within the coalition, Khosa emphasized that the PML-N stands firmly with Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. “We are coalition partners with the PPP, and all of us have full confidence in the chief minister,” he said. He credited Bugti for working diligently toward improving law and order and accelerating development projects in the region. According to Khosa, the Bugti government is moving the province toward “exemplary peace,” and any attempts to sow division through rumours would be unsuccessful.
PPP leaders, too, echoed the same message of unity and stability. PPP MPA Ali Madad Jatak dismissed comments by Senator Dostain Domki, calling his statements irrelevant and lacking any official weight. Jatak criticized those spreading political gossip, suggesting such individuals are simply trying to remain “visible in the media” by generating controversy. He asserted that there is no possibility of an in-house change and reiterated that the chief minister retains the full confidence of the PPP.
Jatak stressed that CM Bugti enjoys the trust of President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP’s central leadership. “No political change can occur in Balochistan without a decision by the central leadership,” he said, underscoring that party discipline and centralized decision-making remain core principles within the PPP. Any discussion about reshuffling the provincial leadership, he added, would have to be initiated by the top tier of the party, not by individual members acting independently.
The Parliamentary Leader of PPP in Balochistan and sitting Provincial Minister, Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, also spoke to the press and firmly rejected the rumours of a chief ministerial change. Umrani backed Bugti, saying the PPP’s central leaders have full confidence in his administrative abilities and his commitment to improving governance in the province. He stressed that the current coalition was stable, aligned, and focused on delivering public services, not engaging in political power struggles.
Umrani also issued a strong statement regarding Senator Dostain Domki’s role in the matter. He clarified that Domki holds no authority to influence or comment on internal decisions of the party. “Senator Dostain Domki has no right to interfere in the PPP’s internal affairs,” he said, indicating that the party leadership is dismayed by Domki’s unsolicited remarks and attempts to stir controversy.
Together, these coordinated statements from three influential leaders—two from the PPP and one from the PML-N—reflect a unified front aimed at shutting down the wave of speculation surrounding the provincial setup. Their comments also highlight an important political reality: both parties are actively working to maintain coalition stability at a time when Balochistan faces complex challenges related to security, governance, and development.
The rumours in question began circulating over the past week, hinting at potential dissatisfaction within coalition ranks and alleging that discussions about a leadership reshuffle were underway. However, Thursday’s statements clearly indicate that both coalition partners remain committed to keeping the present arrangement intact and supporting CM Sarfraz Bugti’s leadership.
With Balochistan’s security challenges and development priorities requiring consistent governance, both parties emphasized the need to avoid distraction from political instability. For now, the message from the coalition is clear: no change is coming, and Sarfraz Bugti is firmly in charge.
